Don't you wonder what is T54? After some googling, I learned that T54 is a sports classification level for eligibility in competing in Paralympic sports. Classes 51-58 cover wheelchair athletes with different levels of spinal cord injuries and amputations. For a detailed list of the different categories of disability sports classification please visit the website Official Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)
Prawat Wahoram crossed the finish line in a time of 10 minutes and 22.38 seconds to beat silver medalist Kurt Fearnley of Australia, who clocked 10:22.97.
The win avenged the Thai's defeat by the Australian at the 2004 Games in Athens. Britain's David Weir took the bronze in 10:23.03.
"I am very happy to win Thailand's first gold medal of the Games. I have to thank my wife and son, who have given me moral support," Prawat said.
Prawat will get a two million Baht bonus from the government for winning a Paralympic gold medal. He will receive another one million Baht after winning the silver medal in the 4x100m wheelchair relay earlier this week, plus another 500,000 Baht for winning the bronze medal in the 800m wheelchair yesterday.
Prawat has three events left in Beijing - the marathon, 1,500m and 4x400m. He has set his sights on taking home another gold in the 4x400m relay where Thailand are the defending champions and record holders. But this is going to be very tough after the Chinese team finished ahead of Thailand in the semifinal heats by setting a new World Record of 3:08.80, finishing almost 7 seconds ahead of Thailand.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)
Prawat is now Thailand's highest medal earner as he has won multiple medals that include:
Men's 5000m - T54 - Gold medal
Men's 800m - T54 - Bronze medal
Men's 4x100m Relay - T53/T54 - Silver medal
